Coimbatore, Aug 26: Police and Drug Administration officials in Coimbatore district have launched intensified surveillance of gyms, fitness centres and pharmacies following the seizure of Mephentermine from a gym near Mettupalayam, and reports that young fitness enthusiasts are using the prescription cardiac stimulant as a performance-enhancing substance.
Seizure prompts probe and wider checks
District Rural Police recovered the drug during an operation at a gym on the outskirts of Mettupalayam, officials said. Subsequent investigations indicated that some users were administering Mephentermine injectables to increase endurance during intensive workouts.
Prompted by the seizure, the District Collector directed the police and the Drug Administration Department to take measures to curb misuse and to trace supply channels for the drug, which officials said is meant to be used only under medical supervision.
Medical risks and official warnings
Mephentermine Sulphate, according to health authorities, is primarily indicated for treating low blood pressure, particularly in operative and emergency settings. The drug acts by stimulating the release of noradrenaline, increasing cardiac output and rapidly raising blood pressure.
Officials warned that unsupervised use can cause serious cardiovascular complications and, in extreme cases, may prove fatal. They emphasised that dosage and duration must be determined by a qualified doctor and the medicine administered in appropriate clinical settings.
"Drug inspectors have been instructed to verify the stock and distribution of Mephentermine at pharmacies across the district," said S. Marimuthu, Assistant Director of Drugs Control, Coimbatore Zone.
Regulatory action and lines of inquiry
Drug-control authorities have ordered inspectors to check stocks and distribution records for Mephentermine at pharmacies across Coimbatore district. While officials assessed the likelihood of over-the-counter sales at local chemists as relatively low, they said purchase and supply records would be scrutinised to identify any irregularities.
Authorities are also investigating other potential channels of procurement. Hospitals commonly maintain the drug as an emergency medicine, but those seeking it for non-medical use may attempt to procure supplies through online platforms or from suppliers located in other states, officials said.
- Seizure location: gym near Mettupalayam.
- Regulatory checks: drug inspectors verifying pharmacy records across the district.
- Possible procurement routes under scrutiny: online platforms and out-of-state suppliers.
Crackdown part of broader enforcement against illegal medicine sales
Authorities said the current surveillance forms part of a broader crackdown on illegal sale and misuse of habit-forming and prescription medicines, including sedatives and painkillers. During August alone, cases were registered against six pharmacies in various parts of the district for alleged violations.
| Location | Action reported in August |
|---|---|
| Pollachi | Case registered against pharmacy |
| Sulur | Case registered against pharmacy |
| Madukkarai | Case registered against pharmacy |
| Saravanampatti | Case registered against pharmacy |
| Periyanaickenpalayam | Case registered against pharmacy |
Officials reiterated that Mephentermine should not be used as a fitness aid. Drug-control officers said they would continue inspections of medical stores and fitness centres, and co-operate with police to identify distributors and intermediaries supplying the drug outside clinical channels.
The combined enforcement and public-awareness efforts aim to prevent further misuse and to ensure that potentially dangerous prescription medicines remain within appropriate medical supervision.
